​​Roots & Wings Classes - 2019-2020

Roots & Wings is a farm-based drop off program for children between the ages of 6 and 12. The classes are mixed ages with three adults present to ensure a positive experience across the age ranges (a professional lead teacher, a professional teacher's assistant, and a classroom parent).  
Students must be enrolled for a full semester. Families can enroll for one, two, or all three semester choices at this time.

• The fall semester will run 14 weeks from the week of September 9 through the week of December 9.
• The winter mini-mester will run 7 weeks from January 13 to February 26.
• The spring semester will run 14 weeks from the week of March 2 to June 10 (there will be a week of spring break).

Tuition is $770 per semester, which equates to $55/day or $9/hour. A multi-day discount may be possible.

The course schedule for the FALL is as follows. The course schedule for the winter mini-mester is TBD at this time and will likely be one or two days. The course semester for the spring is expected to be similar to the fall with minor adjustments as needed. Families can enroll for 1, 2, 3 or 4 days.
The registration form is available here. 

-	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
10 to12	English Language Arts	Math and Thinking Skills	Exploring Our World	Earth Skills...
12 to1	Lunch and Recess	Lunch and Recess	Lunch and Recess	Lunch and Recess
1 to ~2	Music and Singing	Hands-on Art	Mindful Movement	​Earth Skills...
~2 to 4	Farm School	Farm School	Farm School	Earth Skills...

Farm School - The universal experience for Roots & Wings students will be direct engagement on the farm where we will be based! In the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday programs the last segment of the day will be spent outside learning through experience as they grow food and tend to animals using small-scale organic, regenerative agriculture techniques. We are prioritizing these experiences because we believe that: 

• farm-based education is among the most effective and promising forms of environmental, experiential, and place-based education because of the innate ability in all people to connect to farms.
• farm-based experiences promote life values by relating to the social, moral, cognitive, and emotional aspects of the human experience.
• hands-on learning on farms builds confidence, self-awareness, and individual and collective responsibility which leads to the sustainable stewardship of our world.
  
• there is real educational value to learning while working on a product or process that will have lasting value beyond the task at hand and that practical lessons on farms enhance and reinforce theoretical learning in schools.
• ​​farm-based education promotes respect for nature, manual work, individuals, and community.

English Language Arts​ - The weekly Language Arts program will use authentic, project based work and shared reading and writing experiences to explore a variety of forms and purposes for writing.  Mindful discussion of shared reading will build lifelong comprehension skills.  Weekly projects will include: a nature journaling practice to record both scientific observations and our heart connection to nature, farm based projects that incorporate research and sharing of information, and development of comprehension skills through picture books that appeal to all ages and weekly chapter book discussions. ​

 Music and Singing - This is a class where students will explore the art of music. Music is the universal language, capable of reaching the hearts and minds of all who listen and feel, and well-known to be a healer for the heart. In class, we will learn songs together, create harmony, explore rhythms, read music, and gain experience making music in a group setting. Students will have concerts in the winter and spring to and enjoy the celebratory nature of music with the seasons. We will also explore the variety of ways music is used as medicine, as well as gain experience making music from around the world including traditional and pop songs from a variety of cultures. This class will be an opportunity for children to gain confidence and learn to express themselves through the power of music.

Math and Thinking Skills - The math  and thinking strategies class is a place based learning curriculum.  Math concepts like graphing, measurement, estimating, fractions, number sense, and problem-solving will be taught while using hands-on materials and using outside areas around the farm. Thinking strategies like planning, selective attention, working memory, approach to task (breaking problems into steps) will be overlayed with math lessons. We will connect math with the other Roots & Wings classes to foster a community of learners.

Hands-On Art - In this class the students will learn about color, texture, layers, mediums, illusions, reflections, shapes, abstract, realism, fluid art, techniques and so much more. Here we will build confidence and awareness about ourselves, others and the world in a way not normally taught in an art class for this age group. We will take nature and zoom in! See all the colors in what seems only one color, see the patterns and see the beauty in things we may have not known how to look for before. 

Exploring our World Civilizations (Social Studies) - In the Fall semester we will dive into exploring Ancient Egypt! This class will be very hands on and project based throughout. In doing so, we will be using the outdoors often as our classroom, while we learn and create in nature. Children will learn about Pharaohs, astronomy/mathematics, mummification & embalming and of course the great mysteries of the pyramids! In the Spring we will begin a 14 week study of Ancient Greece. This class will cover Greek mythologies (including gods & goddesses), art & pottery, philosophers (like Plato, Epicurus & Aristotle) & great inventions. This class will be very hands on and project based throughout. ​

Mindful Movement - This class is for kids to explore, nurture and enjoy their bodies, spirits and minds through movement and mindfulness. With fun and engaging games, yoga poses, dance, music, breathing practices and quiet meditation moments, kids will have the opportunity to increase their flexibility, balance and concentration and to grow their confidence and understanding of their own complex and wonderful nature.  As a result kids will deepen themselves in their own wonderful Universe in movement! 

Earth Skills and Nature Connection - Get outside and have fun! Children will learn survival skills and local ecology while deepening their connection with each other and our natural world. Shelter building, edible plants, fire making, naturalist skills and lots of room for exploration and play are a part of this full day immersion class!  Participants will learn how to cultivate nature observation, awareness and ancestral skills as they develop a passion to learn about how the world around them works and how they can use their unique interests and abilities to help make it a better place.